Toronto City Hall Bomb Threat Calls For Rob Ford's Resignation

TORONTO - Police were dispatched to Toronto city hall Monday after Mayor Rob Ford said a threat was made to bomb the building unless he resigned, but no evacuation was ordered.

Toronto police spokesman Const. David Hopkinson said officers were sent to the building after city hall security informed them of the threat that morning. Police earlier said they were first notified Sunday night.

Hopkinson said the building was not being evacuated and couldn't confirm whether a bomb sweep had been done.

Ford announced the bomb threat to reporters. He said the email was sent to his brother, Coun. Doug Ford, on Sunday night.

The mayor held up a copy the typo-ridden note, which says there has been "chaos" since Ford returned from rehab last month.

"He has 12 hours to vacate otherwise city hall will blow. I have already set up explosive around."

Ford said he wasn't fazed by the threat.

"I'm moving on. Business as usual. Obviously the police will be around and the police (will) handle this from here on in," he said.

Ford also defended going public about the email.

"When I get something this serious sent to my brother's office and to the deputy mayor's office it's only proper that the mayor of the city addresses this."

Coun. Paula Fletcher said there is a protocol dealing with threats, but that it doesn't restrict officials from revealing them. But she said she hopes Ford knew the threat wasn't real before he announced it.

"I hope he's followed what I would call the good rules, or good common sense. And since we're still here in the building I'm going to assume it was just an angry letter from a disturbed individual."

Toronto spokeswoman Wynna Brown said in an email Monday afternoon that police "are conducting a thorough investigation in co-ordination with city hall security."

The controversial mayor has faced numerous calls for his resignation amid admissions of drug use, alcohol addiction and various instances of being caught on tape making offensive comments.

But he's brushed all them aside and is running in the October 27th election to remain in the mayor's chair.

I don't know if you are aware because of your brother as Mayor, another good councillor quit. So I am asking what's wrong with your fucking brother. I sent an e-mail to him at city hall and he has 12 hours to vacate otherwise city hall will blow. I have already set up explosive around. Since you guys been back, it's been chaos. So here's the message:

YOU HAVE 24 HOURS TO VACATGE CITY HALL. YOU AND YOUR BROTHER.

NO FUSS, NO ARGUMENT NO WHINNING NO NOTHING IF YOU WALK, EVERYTHING IS FINE BUT IF YOU IGNORE THIS WARNING, CITYT HALL WILL DISAPPEAR FROM THE MAP AND BELIEVE ME,

I AM NOT JOKING.

SO, IT'S SIMPLE:

YOU WUIT ALONG WITH YOUR BROTHER AND WALK OUT OR I AM GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE OFFICE IS VACATED, got THAT?